The Republican | Mark M. MurrayMassachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary Richard A. Davey, center, speaking at a podium set up in Court Square on Tuesday morning, announces a "mode shift" goal as part of MassDOTs' GreenDOT policy. Looking on is Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, left, and Stephen Clark, right, Under Secretary in the Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

Davey hosted a press event Tuesday morning in Springfield's Court Square, talking about what he called "mode shift," or his goal of tripling the number of Bay Staters traveling by foot, bicycle or public transit by the year 2030. Although the state does not have an analysis of the number of residents who currently travel by those means, Davey said more foot, bicycle and public transit would not only keep greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere, but save money and keep the state's road network usable.

"I have news for you. We will build no more superhighways in this state. There is no room," Davey said. "People talk about the Mass. Pike getting backed up on Friday. If we don't do something that would be the scenario every Friday, not just on a holiday weekend."

Davey's call to abandon the single-driver car trip is coming as gas prices in the state continue to rise. A gallon of regular sold for $3.90 a gallon Tuesday, according to AAA. It was $3.81 a month ago and $3.50 a year ago.

At the same time, more people are using public transportation. Robert J. Schwarz, executive vice president of Peter Pan Bus Lines, said the Springfield-based intercity carrier now serves 5 million riders a year.

"We had a phenomenal Columbus Day weekend," Schwarz said.

Davey traveled to Springfield from Boston Tuesday by Peter Pan bus. Davey said he's the only state-level transportation secretary in the country who doesn't own a car.

Locally, the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority has seen its ridership rise by about 7 percent month-to-month, said Mary L. MacInnes, PVTA Administrator. The agency has seen its number of riders go up by about 1 million people a year, from 9 million in the fiscal year that ended in 2010, to 10 million in the fiscal year that ended in 2011 and 11 million in the fiscal year that just concluded. She expects 12 million riders this year.

"I'd like to think that part of it is because of the improved service," MacInnes said. "We have a lot of new buses. We offer bike racks."

But she said it would take an additional $5 million to $10 million added to the PVTA's $36 million annual budget to improve the frequency of bus service and really boost ridership. She said there are some routes where the buses come 45 minutes apart.

"It is really hard to get people to use the bus when the service is that infrequent," MacInnes said.

Davey said the forthcoming rehabilitation of Springfield's Union Station into an intermodal bus, train and transit hub will help encourage public transportation use. Demolition for the two-phase, $78 million rehabilitation is expected to begin next month.

Davey said the state is also focusing on proper lighting, sidewalks, curb cuts and rail-to-trails projects in order to encourage people to bicycle or walk where they need to go.